ABSTRACT
Anemia is the most common hematological manifestation of malignant diseases, and it may significantly impair organ and tissue function and the general condition of cancer patients. It is defined as an inadequate circulating number of red blood cells or level of hemoglobin and may arise as a result of the underlying disease, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy (1). Normal limits for hemoglobin values are 12.0-16.0 g=dL for women and 14.0-18 g=dL for men. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the World Health
Organization (WHO) toxicity criteria slightly differ in their classification of lesser grades of anemia, but are the same in their classification of more severe grades of anemia (Table 1).
Mechanisms of Anemia in Cancer Patients
